Hi,
I'm looking for a not too much expensive second airplane. I just began flying solo and i really like to do aerobatic manoeuveurs.
My aircraft is a Alpha 40 and I would like to put my Alpha components on my future aircraft..
Thanks a lot
David

My advice and probably what you'll hear from a considerable amount of people is the SIG Four Star. It comes in .40 .60 and 1.20 sizes. If you get a .40, you'll be able to use everything that you currently have in your alpha. It's an awesome plane.

Any Ugly or Ultra Stik, H9 Arrow, or Four Star are great skill builders. It is best at this point for you to stay with a constant chord wing, and fairly low wing loading with your 40-46 sized engine.

I would say get a flight pack so you can keep your trainer in the air, 4 star or stick either way...you'll want your trainer and you can check ebay for another engine, they are usually pretty reasonably priced...Rog

My second plane and one I highly recommend is the Four Star .40. Like the other guys have said you can swap everything right over. And the ARF on towerhobbies is about 150 then you can subtract the 20 dollar discount and get it for about 130. But I would also recommend the Sig Somethin Extra. If you have the help to get comfortable with a new plane then I would go this route. Some might say this isn't a good suggestion, but with a buddy cable and low rates and expo you should have no problems. Ive read that I can be pretty tame if you set it up right, and it can also get down right nasty when you're ready to step it up a notch My friend has a Somethin Extra and its a good plane.

There is a huuuuuge range of planes out there. If you narrow down your requirements we'll be better able to give advice.
Price?
Kit or ARF?
Sport or scale?
Engine size?

I second flyinrog's comments. Keep the trainer functional if possible.

Tiger 2, Pulse, or 4 star either one are great 2nd planes. I agree with keeping your trainer flying,but becareful buying used rc items like engines off fleabay.

If you consider going electric with a foamy to save a little money take a look at the Parkzone T-28.
Alot of people swear by 'em! You'll love it and not spend too much. You can get the ESC version on sale
for about $150 plus batteries and a reciever. http://www.hobbyzone.com/rc-planes-p...trojan-pnp.htm
Or for $220 on sale (my LHS has one for that price) everything including a transmitter is included. http://www.hobbyzone.com/rc-planes-p...trojan-rtf.htm

High wing. H9 Arrow/ Hobbico Avistar. Low wing...hanger 9 Pulse. But before you proceed...make sure you are REALLY ready...not just itchin for a new plane.

I've put together a list of planes that make good trainers and second planes. All of them on the list are proven planes that are well suited for successfully letting students learn to fly, or advance to a second plane. Check out the list here
[link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_4537845/tm.htm] Looking for a trainer- what's available. (Updated 2-20-2008) [/link]

Hope this helps

Ken

Ken and I have another list on our site:

http://www.gettingairborne.com/air.html

In the 4 star and tiger and pulse style, there the phoenix model [link=http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXLGM8&P=ML]dolphin 40[/link] (100$), it's a great little aircraft landing a little bit faster than a regular trainer but quite easy to fly on low rate.

I've try a super stick from Hangar 9 too, and I do prefer the dolphin. But for someone that just soloed I would recommend the stick, handled a little bit more like a trainer.

And I agree with the other keep your trainer flight ready. Take a "cheap" airframe, but a flight pack [link=http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXKYL2&P=SM]Hitec pack[/link] with another engine (new) of your choice, like the [link=http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXJA86&P=7]tower .46[/link] (90$). Don't forget the [link=http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXN503**&P=M]Rx crystal[/link] (8$)

So for about 298$ you could get a nice flying plane (and there some instant rebate you could get)

Phoenix Dolphin, $99 at Tower. Copy of Sig Four Star. Flies great, does basic aerobatics, flies fast if you want it to.

Phoenix planes are great planes too! I haven't flown my phoenix extra yet, but is a very well assembled arf. It looks like it actually has alot of glue and the covering is top notch!